Ottawa Gets Tough on Security

(Mike De Souza — Canwest News Service)

Targets organized crime in airports, marine ports

The Conservative government is launching a security crackdown on more than 100,000 workers at Canada’s airports and marine ports, Canwest News Service has learned.

The initiative comes through a new deal signed Wednesday by the federal Transport Department and the RCMP to weed out organized-crime operatives from restricted areas. The agreement would improve information-sharing between the two parties and allow the RCMP to conduct detailed background checks on employees at airports or marine ports who are applying for new security passes or renewals.

A senior government official told Canwest News Service the deal would improve the security of passengers and cargo at airports and marine ports.

“Our government is serious about getting people who shouldn’t be working in classified areas out, and we’re committed to fighting organized crime, wherever it exists,” the source said. Read more here.